Dressmaker chalk sharpener

ABSTRACT

A device for sharpening a tailor&#39;&#39;s chalk is formed from a unitary sheet having a longitudinal medial slot terminating at one or both ends in side edges converging to a sharp apex and includes a flat horizontal base panel and a first vertical panel between the ends of the base panel and a second panel extending between the top of the first panel and either the bottom of the first panel or an end edge of the base panel. The first panel has a vertical slot extending from its top edge and terminating in side edges terminating in an apex at the base panel. The second panel is either flat and superimposed on and similar to the first panel or an inclined slotted panel extending between the first panel top edge and the base panel and edge or of angular configuration including a horizontal slotted top section and a vertical end section joining the base panel and edge.

United States Patent 1191 Pisciotta Dec. 4, 1973 [54] DRESSMAKER CHALK SHARPENER 2,094,494 9/1937 Rago 145/33 [76] Inventor: Immacolata Pisciotta, 2387 Morris Ave, Bronx, 104 3 Primary Examiner-Harrison L. Hinson Att0rneyl-Ioward C. Miskin [22] Filed: Apr. 19, 1973 Related Application Data A device for sharpening a tailors chalk is formed from Continual-i0" 0f 1601325, y 7, 1971- a unitary sheet having a longitudinal medial slot terminating at one or both ends in side edges converging to [52] US. Cl 76/82, 145/34, 30/ 171 R a sharp apex and includes a flat horizontal base panel [51] Int. Cl B211 5/12, B261) 23/00 and a first vertical panel between the ends of the base [58] Field Of Search 76/82, 82. 2, 88; panel and a second panel extending between the top 3, of the first panel and either the bottom of the first Y panel or an end edge of the base panel. The first panel I has a vertical slot extending from its top edge and terl Reffl'ellm Cited minating in side edges terminating in an apex at the UNITED STATES PATENTS base panel. The second panel is either flat and super- 1,652,583 12/1927 imposed on and similar to the first panel or an inclined 458,032 8/1891 slotted panel extending between the first panel top 2,559,273 7/1951 edge and the base panel and edge or of angular config- 517,922 4/1894 uration including a horizontal slotted top section and a 849,399 4/1907 vertical end section joining the base panel and edge. 378,117 2/1888 1,593,168 7/ 1926 Gabaver 76/822 IOCIaims, 8 Drawing Figures DRESSMAKER CHALK SHARPENER This application is a continuation'of my copending application Ser. No. 160,325, filed July 7, 1971 for Dressmaker Chalk Sharpener.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to improvements in sharpening devices and it relates more part'icularly to an improved device for sharpening tailors or dressmaker's chalks.

It is common practice in the fabrication and alteration of articles of wearing apparel to mark the article or the fabric from which the article is produced'with a wax based tailors chalk to provide index points, guide lines and other information to assist in the proper construction of the garment. These chalks are generally of rectangular configuration with a longitudinal border which is tapered to a sharp line. With the use of the chalk, the sharp edge is flattened and dulled so that any marking therewith is unsatisfactory in that it is not a fine line, but coarse and dull. It is accordingly necessary to frequently sharpen the chalk marking edge and this is generally done by shaving the edge with a knife, a procedure which is awkward, inefficient, inaccurate and often dangerous, as well as producing messy shavings to clean. Numerous devices have been proposed for sharpening tailors chalks but these have been cumbersome, inconvenient ane expensive and otherwise leave much to be desired.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved sharpening device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for sharpening tailors chalks.

Still another object of the present invention is to produce a chalk sharpening device characterized by its simplicity, ruggedness, versatility, ease and accuracy of use, and low cost.

The above and other objects of the present'invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrates preferred embodiments thereof.

In a sense the present invention contemplates the provision of a chalk sharpening device integrally formed of a unitary sheet and comprising a base member, a first panel directed upwardly from said base member, and a second panel extending from the upper edge of said first panel to said base member, said panels having apertures formed therein delineating an open topped longitudinal passageway and a first of said apertures including a pair of downwardly converging side edges defining a chalk shaving and shaped section. The sheet forming the device'preferrably has a medial slot terminating at one or both ends in side edges which converge to a respective medial apex. In one form, the first and second panels coincide and arejoined at a top fold line and the base member is defined by coplanar wings directed perpendicularly from the bottom edges of the panels. According to another form of the improved device the base mernber is a flat panel and the first panel extends perpendicularly to thebase panel and terminates at its bottom in a fiat panel superimposed on the base panel and extending to the end thereof. The second panel extends from the top edge of the first panel to the end of the base panel and is either inclined or includes an upper horizontal section and a vertical end section. The first panel opening has para]- lel vertical upper side edges and bottom edges which converge to an apex at the base member and the inclined second panel has a longitudinal slot for its full length, or the top section of the second panel has a medial longitudinal slot for its full length with the vertical section thereof having an opening similar to that in the first panel.

The improved sharpening device is rugged, simple, easy to use and achieve optimum sharpening of the chalk, easy to fabricate, allows collection of the shavings, and is of low cost. 2

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 5 is a perspective view of further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the blank used in the forming device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the blank used in the forming device shown in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 10 generally designates the improved tailors chalk sharpening device which is formed of a unitary flat blank 11. The blank 11 is of rectangular configuration with one end having its corners cut to provide oblique edges 12 and having a circular hole 13 located medially proximatethe end edge. Hole 13 allows the device to be hung in any convenient place when not needed. A medial longitudinal slot 14 is located in blank 11 intermediate its ends and has parallel side edges 16 and oblique end edges 17 converging to sharp medially located apices l7 and is of a width slightly greater than the thickness of the conventional tailors chalk. The blank 11 is formed of any suitable stiff material, which may be bent by conventional equipment and procedures, such as sheet metal, thermoplastic polymer resins, for example, nylon, polystyrene, high density polypropylene and the like.

In forming the sharpening device 10 from blank 11, the blank 11 is bent 180 about the medial transverse axis of slot 14 along a fold line 19 and opposite end blank sections are bent outwardly about transverse axes through apices 18, along fold lines 20. The sharpening device 10 includes a pair of vertical superimposed coinciding rectangular panels 21 and 22 respectively and delineated by'fold lines 19 and 20 and joined along fold line 19. Depending from the fold line 19 are the coinciding chalk sharpening or shaving apertures 23 which include upper parallel vertical edges 25 formed from side edges 16 of slot I4, and lower edges 26 which converge downwardly to medial sharp apices 27 at fold lines 20, which is formed from superimposed apices 18 of slot 14. A pair of oppositely directed coplanar, horizontal base members defining wings 28 extend from the bottom edges of panels 21 and 22 and are delineated therefrom by fold lines 20. The base member and panels may be imprinted with information or decorated as desired.

In employing the improved sharpening device 10, the dull tailors chalk C is pressed downwardly into the sharpening opening 23 with its bottom longitudinal marking edge bottommost and is slid longitudinally back and forth while being pressed downwardly so that the bottom border of chalk C is shaved by converging edges 26 until it is brought to a sharp edge mating apex 26, at which point to bottom edge of chalk C is in its optimum sharpened condition. The chalk C is shaved by edges 26 as it is moved both forwardly and rearwardly and it is guided and maintained in its optimum sharpening position by vertical side edges 25 and base member 28.

The sharpening device 32 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, like sharpening device 10, is formed from a unitary blank 33 of relatively longer rectangular configuration than blank 11 and having an elongated medial slot 36 having at one end a transverse edge 37 and at the opposite end is provided with edges 38 converging to a medial apex 37, and includes parallel elongated side edges 39.

In its completed assembled condition the sharpening device 32 includes a horizontal base panel 40 and a transverse vertical first panel 41 perpendicular to base panel 40 between the ends thereof and terminating in a rectangular panel 42 superimposed on base panel 40 and extending to an end edge thereof. A vertical medial slot 43 is located in panel 41 and includes parallel side edges defined by sections of slot side edges 39 and converging bottom edges 38 terminating in apex 37 at bottom fold line 45 which with top fold line 44 delineates first panel 41. An inclined second panel 46 extends between and is integrally formed with the top edge of first panel 41 and the end edge of base panel 40 and overlies panel 42. Second panel 46 is divided by slot 36 into opposite sections defining a passageway with slot 43 for guiding the tailors chalk being sharpened.

The sharpening device 32 is employed in the same manner as sharpening device described above except that the passageway defined by slot side edges 39 in panel 46 function as a chalk guide.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 which illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, the improved sharpening device 47 is formed of a blank 48 which differs from blank 33 primarily in that the opposite ends of the medial slot are provided with end edges which converge to opposite medial apices. Sharpening device 47 includes a horizontal first base panel 49 terminating at its front edge in a vertical panel 50 delineated therefrom by a transverse fold line. Extending rearwardly from the top edge of panel 50 and delineated therefrom by a transverse fold line is a horizontal panel 51 which is approximately half the length of base panel 49 and is joined at its rear edge to a depending vertical panel 52. Extending forwardly from the bottom edge of panel 52 and extending to panel 50 and directly superimposed on base panel 49 is a rectangular second base panel 53. The panels 50 and 51 define a section which extends from the upper edge of panel 52 to the base section as defined by superimposed panels 53 and 49.

Formed in panels 50 and 52 and in longitudinal alignment are a pair of vertical medial slots 54 each including a pair of upper vertical side edges 56 and inclined converging edges 57 tenninating in an apex 58 at about the level of the top face of panel 53. A medial slot 59 is formed in top panel 51 and has parallel side edges 60 joining vertical edges 56.

A tailors chalk may be sharpened by device 47 in the manner earlier described, the side edges 56 and 60 functioning as chalk guides and the inclined edges 57 effecting the shaving of the chalk marking edge. The sharpening stroke of the tailors chalk is less than with the use of the earlier described sharpening devices by reason of the provision of the longitudinally spaced shaving sections defined by panels 50 and 52. It should be noted that the distance between panels 50 and 52 is advantangeously less than one-half the length of the conventional tailors chalk.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, which illustrate a still further embodiment of the present invention, the improved sharpening device is formed of a blank 52, which differs from blank 48 primarily in that it is longer and that the medial slot is closer to one end of the blank and is open at that said edge. In other words, the medial slot is open at one end. Sharpening device 70 is formed from blank 72 having a horizontal base panel 74 with an elongated medial slot 76 having at one end edges 78 converging to a medial apex 80, and includes parallel elongated side edges 81. Medial slot 76 has its other end open along transverse edge 82 forming spaced longitudinally extending legs 84.

In forming sharpening device 70 from blank 72, portion 85 of blank 72 is bent 180 about a transverse fold vline 86, so as to abut the opposite surface of base 74.

Base panel 74 terminates against a pair of vertical, superimposed, coinciding rectangular panels 87 and 88 formed by folding the remaining portion of the panel 72 along fold line 90 passing through apex 80, and then 180 along fold line 92 and then 90 along fold line 91. Rectangular panels 87 and 88 are delineated by fold lines 90 and 92 and 91 and 9 2 respectively joined along fold lines 92. Depending from fold lines 92 are the coinciding chalk or shaving aperture 93 which includes upper parallel edges 94 formed from side edges 81 of slot 76 and lower edges 96 which converge downwardly to a medial sharp apex 98 at fold line 90 which is formed from apex 80 of slot 76. A pair of outwardly directed horizontal base members 75 extend from the bottom edge of panel 88 and are delineated therefrom by fold line 91. These base members are formed from legs 84 of the panel 72.

The tailors chalk may be sharpened by device 70 in the manner earlier described; the side edges of the passageway 100 are formed from side walls 81 of medial slot 76 with the side edges 94 providing a chalk guide with the inclined edges 96 effecting the shaving of the chalk marking edge. Advantageously, the lower portion 85 of the blank is affixed in some manner to base 74 such as by adhesive of some type, staples or the like.

In all of the embodiments discussed above, the sharpening apices should be flush with the base, so that there is no lip or ledge formed which would tend to dull the edge being sharpened. Also, the shavings of the chalk are collected on the base and can be readily disposedof cleanly, so that the shavings do not fall on the floor.

While there have been described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A chalk sharpening device integrally formed of a unitary sheet blank having therein a longitudinal slot having side edges converging to an apex at at least a first end of said slot and comprising a base section including a horizontal first base panel, a second panel directed upwardly from said first base panel and delineated therefrom by a horizontal fold line and having an open topped first aperture therein having parallel vertical upper guide edges and downwardly converging lower side edges at an apex at the bottom thereof defined by said slot first end and defining a chalk shaving and shaping section, and a second section extending from the upper edge of said second panel to said base section and delineated from and joined to said second panel by a fold line along the upper edge of said second panel and having a second aperture thereinin longitudinal alignment with said first aperture and defined by a portion of said slot.

2. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1 wherein said first aperture side edges converge to an apex adjacent said first base panel.

3. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1 wherein said first aperture includes parallel side edges extending vertically upwardly from the tops of said converging side edges.

4. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1 wherein said first and second panels are of similar configuration and are in substantial superimposed coincidence, each of said apertures extending downwardly from the upper edges of said panels and having converging side edges at their bottoms.

5. The chalk sharpening device of claim 4 wherein said first and second panels are joined along their corresponding upper edges by a fold line and said base member is defined by a pair of coplanar wing panels directed oppositely from th bottom edges of said first and second panels and perpendicular thereto.

6. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1, said base member comprising a flat panel, said first panel extending vertically to said base panel between the opposite ends thereof and provided at its bottom in a third panel superimposed on said base panel and extending to a first end edge thereof, said aperture in said first panel including vertical parallel side edges extending downwardly from the upper edge of said first panel to the upper ends of said converging edges, and said second panel extending between and joining said first panel top edge and said base panel first end edge, and said aperture in said second panel comprising a longitudinal slot having parallel side edges joining the tops of said first panel aperture top side edges and extending the full length of said second panel. 1

7. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1, said base section comprising a flat second base panel, said first base panel being superimposed on said secone base panel and extending to a first end edge thereof, said aperture in said second panel including vertical parallel side edges extending downwardly from the upper edge of said second panel to the upper ends of said converging edges, and said second section comprising a third panel joining said second panel top edge and extending parallel to said base panels and a fourth panel perpendicular to and joining said third panel and second base panel at said second base panel first edge, said second aperture including an aperture section in said fourth panel similar to and in longitudinal alignment with said first aperture and a longitudinal slot extending the full length of said third panel and having side edges joining corresponding side edges of said second aperture and said first aperture.

8. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1 wherein said sheet has a longitudinal medial slot formed therein and terminating at an end thereof in side edges converging to a medial apex.

9. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1 wherein said second section includes a third panel and said third and second panels are of similar configuration and are in substantial superimposed coincidence, each of said apertures extending downwardly from the upper edge of said panels and at least one of which has converging side edges at its bottom.

10. The chalk sharpening device of claim 9 wherein said base section includes a panel having a pair of legs forming a passageway communicating with said apertures. 

1. A chalk sharpening device integrally formed of a unitary sheet blank having therein a longitudinal slot having side edges converging to an apex at at least a first end of said slot and comprising a base section including a horizontal first base panel, a second panel directed upwardly from said first base panel and delineated therefrom by a horizontal fold line and having an open topped first aperture therein having parallel vertical upper guide edges and downwardly converging lower side edges at an apex at the bottom thereof defined by said slot first end and defining a chalk shaving and shaping section, and a second section extending from the upper edge of said second panel to said base section and delineated from and joined to said second paNel by a fold line along the upper edge of said second panel and having a second aperture therein in longitudinal alignment with said first aperture and defined by a portion of said slot.
 2. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1 wherein said first aperture side edges converge to an apex adjacent said first base panel.
 3. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1 wherein said first aperture includes parallel side edges extending vertically upwardly from the tops of said converging side edges.
 4. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1 wherein said first and second panels are of similar configuration and are in substantial superimposed coincidence, each of said apertures extending downwardly from the upper edges of said panels and having converging side edges at their bottoms.
 5. The chalk sharpening device of claim 4 wherein said first and second panels are joined along their corresponding upper edges by a fold line and said base member is defined by a pair of coplanar wing panels directed oppositely from th bottom edges of said first and second panels and perpendicular thereto.
 6. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1, said base member comprising a flat panel, said first panel extending vertically to said base panel between the opposite ends thereof and provided at its bottom in a third panel superimposed on said base panel and extending to a first end edge thereof, said aperture in said first panel including vertical parallel side edges extending downwardly from the upper edge of said first panel to the upper ends of said converging edges, and said second panel extending between and joining said first panel top edge and said base panel first end edge, and said aperture in said second panel comprising a longitudinal slot having parallel side edges joining the tops of said first panel aperture top side edges and extending the full length of said second panel.
 7. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1, said base section comprising a flat second base panel, said first base panel being superimposed on said secone base panel and extending to a first end edge thereof, said aperture in said second panel including vertical parallel side edges extending downwardly from the upper edge of said second panel to the upper ends of said converging edges, and said second section comprising a third panel joining said second panel top edge and extending parallel to said base panels and a fourth panel perpendicular to and joining said third panel and second base panel at said second base panel first edge, said second aperture including an aperture section in said fourth panel similar to and in longitudinal alignment with said first aperture and a longitudinal slot extending the full length of said third panel and having side edges joining corresponding side edges of said second aperture and said first aperture.
 8. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1 wherein said sheet has a longitudinal medial slot formed therein and terminating at an end thereof in side edges converging to a medial apex.
 9. The chalk sharpening device of claim 1 wherein said second section includes a third panel and said third and second panels are of similar configuration and are in substantial superimposed coincidence, each of said apertures extending downwardly from the upper edge of said panels and at least one of which has converging side edges at its bottom.
 10. The chalk sharpening device of claim 9 wherein said base section includes a panel having a pair of legs forming a passageway communicating with said apertures. 